Lisa Knox ’10, ’12

Lisa Knox '10, '12 met some of her first friends in the basement of Wofford Hall as a freshman at Winthrop. 

Her memories of Winthrop are plentiful: she found sisterhood in Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated; experienced travel with the Winthrop Chorale, Chamber Singers and Winthrop Dance team; and even shared her love of music by singing the alma mater at Commencement. 

“There are way too many good memories and good people that came from Winthrop experiences,” said Knox, who studied music education and obtained a Master of Music degree. 

She is now the choral director and piano teacher at Indian Land High School in Lancaster County and was recently named the 2019 Lancaster County District Teacher of the Year after being selected from 200 nominees to receive the Celebrate Great Teaching Awards. 

Her fondness of teaching and music stems from her Charleston upbringing. She took piano lessons during her teenage years and was involved in the music ministry at her home church. Her grandmother, a former educator, likely sensed her affinity to music education and encouraged her to apply to Winthrop. 

It was an excellent choice for future teachers, Knox's grandmother would tell her as she began looking at colleges. For Knox, the choice was easy and instant.

“When I came to visit the campus, it instantly felt like where I was supposed to be,” she said. 

Winthrop was the place where she found confidence and to trust her instincts.   

“Emeritus Professor of Music Kathy Kinsey and Associate Professor of Music Kristen Wunderlich have to be the two most important professors in my Winthrop career. They both pushed me and saw something in me that I didn't see in myself. They are responsible for the kind of musician and teacher that I am today,” Knox said. 

She is the kind of teacher dedicated to molding young musicians; she directs three different high school choirs (concert, honor and show) and teaches beginning to advanced piano students. She is also dedicated to developing young music education majors by serving as a mentor during their internships. 

The camaraderie with her music community helps fuel her passion. Knox hopes to one day own her own full music academy with a traveling professional choir.